I had a childhood friend who did not survive measles. And I went to elementary school with a girl who wore leg braces because of Polio. We are living in a nation that hasn't seen these horrors in decades. Many of those yelling so loud weren't even alive when these outbreaks occurred and thus have no clue. Mississippi has it right-- vaccinate.

You can't talk to these people. The know "everything", more than doctors, as far as they are concerned. They've done all their "research" online, reading only stuff written by people who think like them. Try to show them something more objective and they won't read it, calling it medical propaganda.

The MMR vaccine controversy centers on the 1998 publication of a fraudulent research paper in the medical journal The Lancet that lent support to the later discredited claim that colitis and autism spectrum disorders are linked to the combined measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.[1] The media have been criticized for their naïve reporting and for lending undue credibility to the author of the fraudulent paper, Andrew Wakefield.

Investigations by Sunday Times journalist Brian Deer reported that Andrew Wakefield, the author of the original research paper, had multiple undeclared conflicts of interest,[2][3] had manipulated evidence,[4] and had broken other ethical codes. The Lancet paper was partially retracted in 2004, and fully retracted in 2010, when The Lancet's editor-in-chief Richard Horton described it as "utterly false" and said that the journal had been "deceived".[5] Wakefield was found guilty by the General Medical Council of serious professional misconduct in May 2010 and was struck off the Medical Register, meaning he could no longer practice as a doctor in the UK.[6] In 2011, Deer provided further information on Wakefield's improper research practices to the British medical journal, BMJ, which in a signed editorial described the original paper as fraudulent.[7][8] The scientific consensus is that no evidence links the MMR vaccine to the development of autism, and that this vaccine's benefits greatly outweigh its risks.

Following the initial claims in 1998, multiple large epidemiological studies were undertaken. Reviews of the evidence by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,[9] the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Institute of Medicine of the US National Academy of Sciences,[10] the UK National Health Service,[11] and the Cochrane Library[12] all found no link between the MMR vaccine and autism. While the Cochrane review expressed a need for improved design and reporting of safety outcomes in MMR vaccine studies, it concluded that the evidence of the safety and effectiveness of MMR in the prevention of diseases that still carry a heavy burden of morbidity and mortality justifies its global use, and that the lack of confidence in the vaccine has damaged public health.[12] A special court convened in the United States to review claims under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program rejected compensation claims from parents of autistic children.[13][14]

The claims in Wakefield's 1998 The Lancet article were widely reported;[15] vaccination rates in the UK and Ireland dropped sharply,[16] which was followed by significantly increased incidence of measles and mumps, resulting in deaths and severe and permanent injuries.[17] Physicians, medical journals, and editors[18][19][20][21][22] have described Wakefield's actions as fraudulent and tied them to epidemics and deaths,[23][24] and a 2011 journal article described the vaccine–autism connection as "the most damaging medical hoax of the last 100 years".[25]

It is shameful that ignorant (and loud!) people have such an influence over our legislature.

Mississippi has only two current things to brag about in the area of health: the first expanded newborn screening program in the country (starting in 2005) and the highest vaccination rates in the country against preventable, sometimes fatal disease. In everything else the state is 49th or 50th. To try to destroy one of the few things this state has that it can brag about is ludicrous.

And for those twitter posters above posting the same moronic question (wait - what do you call those people - twits?: my spouse and I and both of our kids are fully vaccinated. We have seen the damage some of these diseases cause.

I'll try to hope one person changes their mind after reading your factual post, 12:26 pm as that may save children not just the misery of the measles ( which I had) and death from pneumonia which often follows, but also , from becoming deaf or blind.

Too many won't get past the first sentence as they are unable to admit being wrong or being duped.

It's working. We are fighting over nonsense.

Too many of us have been subjected to fear mongering and misinformation that rational thought has become a casualty.

Too many more have become addicted to their anger and anxiety thanks to the fear mongers among us.

It is so bad that an opinions of admitted former drug addicts who have no expertise or educational background in any subject carries the same weight as those who have spent a lifetime studying the subject matter.

I'm afraid our democracy is crumbling from greed, from fear, from anger so that we give away our freedoms to those who profit and to those who would control us, in the hopes of being safe.

I've got boys so I worry about autism since it's more prevalent in boys. I read around online the arguments for and against vaxing on the recommended schedule or spacing them out or not vaxing at all.

I'm not a doctor. Not a nurse. My degree is in an unrelated field.

I have a close friend who is a pediatrician. With kids the same age as mine. I asked what he thought about it and he said he would be vaxing his kids on time with the recommended schedule. He did the research and felt like sticking to the recommended schedule was best.

That was good enough for me! If medical professionals who research that kind of thing are comfortable doing it to their own children, then so am I.

When I was little, the vaccine list was only about 12 shots long. Now the vaccine requirements are up to about 30. Just too much stuff. Big Pharma is loud, proud and will manipulate the hell out of the public as they continue not to acknowledge the connection with the kids who change overnight due to vaccinations.

"3:57 and your evidence is? Wiki? Oh my, go back to school. Do some more research. Then get back to me. "

Actually I read almost every one of those articles (see the list of references in that article) when they came out in the original journals when I was serving on the faculty of the best Pediatrics Department in the world (hint: it's not in Mississippi). I got interested when I diagnosed a case of polio in an infant that the residents had missed because they thought it didn't occur in this country anymore (being born before Salk and Sabin discovered their vaccines occasionally has its advantages). The spouse and I (both board-certified in pediatric sub-specialties) made sure our kids got all recommended vaccines on the recommended schedule.

Also, I learned to identify fools and idiots long before I entered medical school so I haven't wasted much time listening to uninformed loons. I didn't learn how to deal diplomatically with morons like yourself, however. When you've got 25 years experience teaching medical students and publishing original research in the New England Journal of Medicine, the Journal of the AMA, etc, then come back and talk to me. Right now you've got work to do - the Fry-o-lator is broken again.

Remember going with my parents on a Sunday (two in a row if I remember correctly) afternoon to the local school for the sugar-cube polio vaccine. Families were lined up, very thankful that this vaccine was now available.

Missed two weeks of second grade and ended up in the hospital with the measles. Local elementary school closed for a week because so many students were out sick with the measles.

Sick with mumps and for the most part relegated to my bedroom because it was unsure if my father had had the mumps. Mumps can cause sterility in males.

Can still see small white scar on my left shoulder from smallpox vax. That one small spot is nothing compared to what having smallpox can do to a person.

Chickenpox was hell. HELL. H-E-L-L. Had it as an adult and sooo ill. Missed two weeks of work and looked like death warmed over for another two weeks.

Did I ensure my child had all vaccinations recommended? You bet I did.

I truly cannot imagine any responsible parent not trying to protect their child from any of these diseases. Key word: responsibility.

You can always judge a policy by its results. Here's tonight's headlines showing how it is spreading due to allowing unvaccinated people (mainly children)to infect others in Chicago, Arizona and elsewhere:

Will Chris McDaniel and Melanie's love child get vaccinated? TEA PARTY FULL OF CHEATIN' HUSBANDS. dear mrs Mcdaniel, you might want to vaccinate your husband--- Melanie has been looking sickly lately.....

These parents have gone kookoo for coa coa puffs. I don't think big pharma is with out its faults by any means ( or big government for that matter) however, the ten plagues of Egypt will not be coming if the vaccinations have anything to say about it.

Not today. Not tommorrow.

Autism is horrible, but you can file a lawsuit for that if you feel you have a claim. Big pharma isn't hurting for cash -Hire a lawyer and go for it - leave the rest of us alone.

Can you ever really explain to someone who grew up with cell phones what life was like before cell phones? The answer is no. This is the same problem with vaccinations. No parent with young today remembers what the epidemics and the fears were really like.

I remember going to the family plots on decoration day. My grandmother and grandfather buried only one of their four children in childhood. They were lucky it was only one of four and they knew it.

I remember the day I saw the tombstones of four children under 10 years old from the same family. All dead within the same month. Their mother died two years later. I recognized the last name. When I asked I was told that that mother had buried all her children and that probably had something to do with her death. This was in the 1920s.

Have y'all caught that there is one person who visits this site who assumes that anyone who posts facts as 12:26 did is one person?

Sometimes he or she calls that person " granny" for reasons unknown.

But, anytime they are called out with facts, they assume it's one person ( out to get you 3:38?)

Here's a hint 3:38, the writing styles are different, the subject matters are too diverse. Unlike you, people who write like 12:26 stick to subjects they actually know something about and know where to find the facts to support their position.

You haven't once supported your position with anything but your style of writing is very obvious!

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:Cervical cancer used to bethe leading cause of cancer death for women in the United States. However, in the past 40 years, the number of cases of cervical cancer and the number of deaths from cervical cancer have decreased significantly. This decline largely is the result of many women getting regular Pap tests, which can find cervical precancer before it turns into cancer......In 2011 (the most recent year numbers are available)—>> 12,109 women in the United States were diagnosed with cervical cancer.>> 4,092 women in the United States died from cervical cancer.

2011 Population of the United States: 311.6 million people

2011 % of US Population that died from cervical cancer: 0.00001313222%

Who is the Hottest Reporter in Jackson?

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything). Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up. In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!